Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
RUDOLPH
I shook off the snow that had quickly dampened my dark hair. It hadn’t been coming down this fast when I left Elfing. If it had, then I would have brought the carriage considering I was the only one outside the Krinkle family allowed to use it. Mostly because, as the caretaker for the animal farm, I needed to keep them ready at a moment’s notice. That was part of why I was here.
Four freaking weeks, I had been waiting for the supplies I ordered. The closer we got to Christmas, the more the chickens and horses ate. And don’t get me started on the reindeers. It was like all of them knew something special was coming.
I sent a text to CJ letting him know it might take me longer than I had planned to get back up the mountain. I knew that between him and his brother Nicholas they could make sure the farm was taken care of, but I hated leaving my babies for longer than needed. They counted on me and truthfully, I loved the solitude of being out in the barn with them.
“Welcome to Mountain Peak Feed and Supply.” The cute brunette looked up. Her cheeks bloomed with color when she saw me. I didn’t come down here a lot, but every time I did, she gave me the same look.
“Thank you.”
I had noticed her before. She had those kinds of curves that drew a man’s attention. I wasn’t necessarily a butt man, but if I was, then she would be right up my alley. Not that the rest of her wasn’t just as sexy or attractive, but my heart was already taken by my animals.
I stopped staring at her assets and went to get the grain and other supplies I would need to get us through the holiday season. If it was snowing like this already, I wanted to be prepared.
It didn’t take long to find what I was searching for. I loaded up the flatbed cart and headed back for the front, only to see a sheet of white outside the glass doors.
Great. Just Elfing great.
There were two other employees standing around when I walked over to the brunette’s line. All of them were staring out the window. I cleared my throat, and she looked over at me with wide eyes. More color spread across her whole face.
“Sorry about that.” She picked up her scanner and came around to check my purchases. “We were just wondering if we should close early.”
“I would,” I suggested. Staying open wasn’t worth any of them getting stuck on the side of a mountain. As it was, I was considering messaging CJ again and having him come pick me up.
“He’s right, Elle.” The tall, blonde guy who was leaning on the front counter nodded. “Once you finish up then go ahead and close out your register. We’ll worry about counting it in the morning.”
“Are you sure, Thomas?” She stopped to ask.
“Yeah.” He pushed himself into a standing position. “I’m going to go make the call right now.”
“Okay.” Elle nodded and went back to scanning the remaining bags.
“I’ll go with you.” A tiny little petite woman skipped off beside Thomas.
I heard Elle mutter something under her breath before shaking her head.
“Is there a problem?” I hoped not. The sooner I could get out of here, the better.
“No, sir.” She walked back to the register to give me the total.
I pulled out the card that I only used for emergencies. I hoped this got us through until our normal supplier could come through with my original order.
“Here you go.” She handed me the card and the receipt to sign. Our hands brushed, and a sizzling warmth spread across my skin. “Sorry.” She pulled back quickly.
Was she shy? Is that why she always blushed so deeply when I came in? It would also explain the sweet, melodic voice that always seemed to stay with me long after I left.
I handed her the receipt back, waiting for my copy. When she held it out this time, she made sure to keep her hands away from anywhere I could touch. I smiled and pushed the cart out into the blizzard that had sprung up during the fifteen minutes I was inside.
There was no getting the cart to the bed of my truck. The wheels wouldn’t move an inch in the compact ocean of white. I ended up having to lug each bag individually in order to get them all in.
I took the time to brush off all the windows, which did me no good. By the time I got into the cab, the damn things were covered all over again.
I pressed the start button, having decided to just remove the new layer with the windshield wipers, and nothing. Not even the smallest peep. I pressed the button again and again, nothing.
Cursing myself once again for not following my instincts, I popped the hood and got out. I was great with the carriage, but not so good with cars. There were just way too many things it could be. Ten minutes later, I gave up.
I pulled out my phone and called CJ. His phone went directly to voicemail. I called Nick next and got the same thing. After that was Joy and then Papa Krinkle. I was finally about to get through to Mom Krinkle, and she let me know that the snowstorm had caused problems in Elfing too. The whole family was busy helping the seasonal workers get taken care of. She told me she would try to find one of them to come get me, but it would probably take quite some time. Between sitting in the truck for hours or going back inside the store before it closed and trying to call a tow truck, I chose the tow truck.
I rushed back to the doors, but they were already locked. I pulled at the door and looked through the glass to see if I could find someone to let me in. There was nobody.
How had they gotten out so fast and I missed them?
I knocked on the window, hoping they would hear me, but got no response. I pulled out my phone on the way back to my car. Looked like I was going to have to look up a tow truck in the car.
I was trudging across the parking lot when I heard tires squeal. I looked up to see another truck pulling in beside mine. The damn thing made mine look like a compact car compared to the wheels alone. I liked to think I wasn’t one of those guys who believed size was everything, but I suddenly felt a little inferior. The door swung open, and the cute curvy woman from inside jumped down.
Seriously? Her?
“Car trouble?” She cupped her hand over her mouth and called out over the whistle of the wind.
“Yeah.” I continued toward her. How did the fact she was standing there in a fur-lined leather jacket and cowboy boots next to her truck make her look sexier?
“Do you know anything about cars?”
She shook her head. “Not a thing. You could try calling a tow truck, but I’m sure there are any number of accidents on the road right now.”
Damn, she was probably right.
“I have a guest room.” She bit the side of her bottom lip.
“Excuse me?” I squinted as I looked at her.
She shrugged. “I just meant if you need some place to get out of the snow until you can get a tow truck.” I noticed her picking at one of her nails. “You could also stay if you need to.”
She had to be kidding. Was she really inviting me to her home? She didn’t know me. I could be some sort of crazy person. Hopefully, she didn’t do this all the time. That could be really dangerous. However, it was a freak snowstorm, and I really didn’t want to spend hours in a cold car. Let alone all night.
“I’d need to get my things out of the bed.” I point to the snow-covered truck.
“Sure.” She came over to help.
“I got it.”
“It’s no big deal.” She picked up a bag and put it over her shoulder. “I move these things pretty much all the time.” She walked over to the back of her truck.
I shook off the alpha male part of my brain that I didn’t know I had and helped her move the rest of the bags. After that, I locked up the truck. I’d text CJ when we got to her place. If I was lucky, he would be done by then, and he could bring the carriage to pick me up, although that would come with a host of questions I was not in a position to answer.